Would you like to calculate the perfect size of a heavy blanket you need for a single or a couple? If yes, use our easy-to-use and handy Weighted Blanket Calculator.
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What is a Weighted Blanket?
Generally, a weighted blanket is often referred to as a heavy blanket, an alternative name. But, what is a weighted blanket?
A weighted blanket is like any other normal blanket, composed of different colors, fabrics, and size. However, there is something that makes it different from the normal blankets. What is that?
The filling of heavy blankets includes glass beads, plastic pellets, beads, discs, or flaxseeds. Mostly, these materials are mixed with lighter materials for producing weighted blankets.
The secret behind weighted blankets and their usage is that they gently apply pressure to your body while laying on a bed, reducing stress and anxiety for most people.
What is the purpose of a weighted blanket?
It is highly recommended to use a weighted blanket for anxiety and other similar health issues. Additionally, studies claim that sleeping with a weighted blanket enhances sleep efficiency and helps you deal with sleep disorders.
Here are some disorders that weighted blankets are the perfect solution for:
- PTSD
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- ADHD
- Restless leg syndrome
- Depression
- Autism
Also, there is not any risk of sleeping with a weighted blanket in pregnancy. You are allowed to do so, and the only problem that it may bring is the additional heat coming from the weight of a heavy blanket.
History
If we go back to 1999, it can be taken as a year of the first implementation of weighted blankets. At that time, Tina Champagne, therapist, started using weighted blankets for helping mental-health patients.
However, as an official inventor and designer of weighted blankets is considered Keith Zivalich. Zivalich invented the weighted blanket in 1997. Due to their deep pressure stimulation, weighted blankets became broadly popular around the world.
They help your body release calming hormones, like dopamine and serotonin, which enhance your motivation, impulse control, attention, memory, social behavior, and sleep.
Weighted Blanket For Kids
When you choose a perfect weighted blanket for kids, it is recommended to choose the one with the weight (size) equal to 10 percent of your body weight, and you can add up one or two pounds. Choosing the weighted blanket for a toddler that will fit it best is important because you have to ensure that your children benefits greatly.
How to know which heavy blanket is the best for your child? Let’s look at the list below, which shows the recommended children’s weighted blanket according to their weights:
- 20 lb = 3–4 lb blanket
- 30 lb = 4–5 lb blanket
- 40 lb = 5–6 lb blanket
- 50 lb = 6–7 lb blanket
- 60 lb = 7–8 lb blanket
- 70 lb = 8–9 lb blanket
- 80 lb = 9–10 lb blanket
Weighted blankets should not be used for babies. Therefore, if you have a five-year-old child or even younger, talk to a doctor before using it.
How to Choose a Weighted Blanket – Formula
To choose a weighted blanket for you, you need to calculate its weight. Then, when you know the blanket’s weight, you can easily figure out and choose what’s best for you.
When calculating the weight of a blanket, you need to divide your current weight by 10 and add one or two pounds to the product.
Note: Our Weighted Blanket Calculator instead adds 1.5 lb to the product in the formula calculation. However, if you want an instant weighted blanket calculation, use our calculator.
Whether you want to calculate the blanket’s weight for a single person or a couple, we can provide two different formulas.
Calculation for a Single Person
In pounds:
\text{Weight = (your weight / 10) + 1.5}In kilograms:
\text{Weight = (your weight / 10) + 0.68}Calculation for a Couple
If two people have the same weight, you can use only one weighted blanket for both of them. However, if their weights differ significantly, you can use another formula to calculate the proper weight of a blanket needed.
To find the weighted blanket’s weight, take 7.5% of their combined weight.
\text{Weight = 0.075} \times \text{couple's combined weight}Weighted Blanket Pros and Cons
Does a weighted blanket help you sleep? Does it help you with anxiety? Should you use it or not? Let’s deal with those questions and provide a clear answer in the table below. You will learn about the pros and cons of sleeping with weighted blankets.
| Pros | Cons |
| Improves sleep quality | Your body can get too hot in the bed |
| Can help treat insomnia | Can be risky for a child |
| Minimizes anxiety | Aren’t the easiest to take with you when you’re traveling |
| Can improve your body and overall wellbeing | Not every blanket will be right for someone |
| Releases dopamine and serotonin through deep pressure stimulation, | Can take time to get used to |
| For common childhood conditions like autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder | |
| You’ll be warm all night in the bed |
Weighted Blanket Calculator – How to Use?
We have developed a simple yet effective tool, Weighted Blanket Calculator, that easily calculates the weight of a blanket (size) needed for one or two people according to the total bodyweight you specify. Therefore, if you want to learn how to utilize our calculator, follow the steps below:
Steps:
- Choose whether you need a blanket for a single or a couple.
- Enter your bodyweight or the combined weight of a couple.
- The calculator returns the blanket weight in grams, kilograms, pounds, ounces, or stones.
Weighted Blanket Benefits in Real Life
There are numerous weighted blanket benefits to your health. You can see some of them below:
- It helps you deal with anxiety and stress
- Reduces sensory issues
- It simulates deep touch pressure therapy
- Releases serotonin and dopamine, which makes you sleep well and have a good memory
Weighted Blanket Calculator – Example
We saw the steps you need to take to use our Weighted Blanket Calculator. So, now, let’s show it in practice through an example.
Scenario: What’s the blanket weight (size) for a couple (1st person = 70kg, 2nd person = 92kg)?
Steps:
- Choose “couple” from the list.
- Enter your and a partner’s weight.
- Weighted Blanket Calculator calculates it using the formula and returns the needed weight of a weighted blanket: 12.15 kg.
FAQ
How do you calculate a weighted blanket?
When calculating the weight (size) of a blanket, you need to divide your current weight by 10 and add one or two pounds to the product.
Is a 20 pounds weighted blanket too heavy?
If a person weighs around 165 to 200 lbs, the perfect weighted blanket for this group is approximately 15 lb or 20 lb. However, adults with a height greater than 200 lbs should go for 20 lb or 25 lb+ blankets.
Should a weighted blanket be shared?
Short answer, yes you can. However, it depends on the weight of the blanket and the combined weight of a couple or multiple people who share it. Generally, it is recommended to cover yourself with a blanket that weighs around 10% of your current bodyweight.
Can you wash a weighted blanket?
Technically, you can wash a weighted blanket. But, it is not as easy as it is for standard blankets.
What are the weighted blanket side effects?
Besides plenty of benefits that weighted blankets bring to you and your sleep, there are some side effects or risks you need to be aware of:
– children under the age of 2 should not use them
– children with developmental disabilities should also avoid them
– people with chronic respiratory conditions, such as asthma, should not use weighted blankets
Should you use a weighted blanket every night?
There is no specific limit on how much or frequency you should use weighted blankets. Some scientists recommend using it for 20 to 30 minutes at a time, while others believe that sleeping every night is still fine for your body. Therefore, test it out for yourself and decide what’s best for you.
How much should you weigh for a 15 lb weighted blanket?
For sleeping with a 15 lb blanket, the perfect weight you should have is 135 pounds.
